Tefu Mashamaite: Kaizer Chiefs Legend Sacked Just a Month After Taking Coaching Job

• Tefu Mashamaite has lost his job as Phalaborwa United's head coach after losing his last match in charge of the club
• The Kaizer Chiefs legend was relieved of his duties as the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side was knocked out of the Nedbank Cup
• Fans on social media shared their thoughts on Phalaborwa United's decision to sack the South African tactician

Kaizer Chiefs legend Tefu Mashamaite has been relieved of his duties as head coach of SAFA Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Phalaborwa United, just a month after taking charge of the team.

The former Amakhosi captain was appointed in September. He was brought in to guide the ambitious club to promotion into the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

However, his tenure was short-lived, with the club’s management opting to part ways with the 41-year-old following a disappointing run of results.

The South African lower division side's decision to let Mashamaite go came after they suffered a Nedbank Cup qualifier defeat to Nkowankowa Continental FC at the Nkowankowa Stadium on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

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Mashamaite and his team were eliminated after a 4-3 defeat in a penalty shootout, marking a disappointing end to the match. The role at Phalaborwa United was his first official coaching job, coming shortly after the former Bafana Bafana defender stepped away from his career as a player agent.

Mashamaite had a good record in the competition and was the last Kaizer Chiefs captain to lift the Nedbank Cup, before Yusuf Maart broke the record after leading the Glamour Boys to victory in the tournament last season.

Phalaborwa United confirms Mashamaite's sacking

Phalaborwa United released an official statement to confirm the sacking of the former Kaizer Chiefs captain after their elimination from the Nedbank Cup.

“Phalaborwa United Football Club has announced that it has parted ways with Head Coach Tefu Mashamaite following the team’s early exit from the 2025/26 Nedbank Cup,” the club statement reads.

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The club went on to confirm that the management decided that a change in leadership was necessary as part of its assessment of the team’s performance and overall direction.

Also in the official statement, the club expressed gratitude to coach Mashamaite for his efforts and contributions during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavours. Preparations are already in progress to appoint a new head coach ahead of the upcoming fixtures, with an official announcement expected soon.

Here is what fans are saying about Phalaborwa United's decision to sack Mashamaite.

Reneck King Ginger Mogale said:

"With the guy i see there no Coach gonna survive. Hope you understand."

Phuma Lepulane wrote:

"Not all former professional players can be good coaches, Yeye could be next."

Dzunisani Matsilele shared:

"Thy made a mistake by dismissing mashele whom helped a team to gain a promotion."

Lwandle Ra Peace reacted:

"Mxm they must know that there is a loser and a winner it is impossible for the two team to win the match same time and same day one must win and one must lose....they should be happy because they didn't lose in that 90 minutes they lost the match during the penalty shootout."

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Chimora Phanuel Mokgalaka added:

"Same team, Management and fans, they love soccer, but they don't understand the game.NkowaNkowa Con fc they have more experience in this league, ABC n good Coach(Big Man Peace). Phalaborwa united you mass learn more standard of ABC league from now n reduce de old players please."

Chiefs legend replaces Folz at Yanga

Briefly News also reported that a Kaizer Chiefs legend as been named as a replacement for Romain Folz at Yanga SC.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns technical crew member was sacked by the Tanzanian giants after losing his last match.

Source: Briefly News